Home › Books for Ages 9–12 › Busted

Busted

by Dan Gemeinhart Publisher: HENRY HOLT

Critically Recognized

An unlikely partnership to save home

Regular price $17.50 USD
Regular price $29.17 USD Sale price $17.50 USD
Save 40%

Hardcover New English

Delivery to your door
In stock·Dispatches in 1–2 business days
Standard shipping* from $4.35
Standard shipping transit* 5–8 business days after dispatch

Faster options are available.

Rates and delivery estimates depend on your destination and item quantity. Estimates are informational only; the final shipping method and rate are selected at checkout.

Secure checkout
American Express Apple Pay DiscoverGoogle Pay Mastercard PayPalVisa
30-day eligible returns Returns & refunds policy

Awards & Recognition

  • Critical praise

    Publishers Weekly starred review

    Starred review; described as “A laugh-out-loud romp.”

AlbakiReads Editorial

An unlikely partnership to save home

Twelve-year-old Oscar has made an unusual home at Sunny Days retirement residence, where he lives with his grandfather and spends his time playing bridge, listening to Frank Sinatra, and attending funerals. When an eviction notice puts their place there at risk, a deal with Jimmy Deluca—a resident with a troubling reputation—sets Oscar on a search for hidden riches. The adventure brings together an odd couple and an uninvited stowaway, linking a high-stakes escape with Oscar’s effort to protect the place he calls home. Friendship, family, and the meaning of home anchor this middle-grade caper.

Good fit for readers who enjoy

  • Middle-grade readers drawn to humorous adventures and unusual partnerships
  • Readers interested in stories about friendship, family, and protecting a home
  • Kids ages 9–12 who enjoy an unconventional young protagonist

Themes

FriendshipFamilyHome and belongingAdventure

Based on publisher information and book metadata.

Book overview

"A humdinger doozy of a read filled with humor, heart, and incredible characters you won't soon forget!" --Chris Grabenstein, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of the Mr. Lemoncello's Library series

"Busted is about to be your kid's new favorite." --
Scary Mommy

From theNew York Times-bestselling author of The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise comes a new heartfelt and hilarious middle-grade joy ride full of friendship and adventure!

When 12-year-old Oscar Aberdeen decided he would do anything to save the only home he's ever known, he didn't realize that anything would include theft, trespassing, gambling, a broken nose, grand theft auto, a federal prison, and a police chase. He had no idea it would be so dangerous...or so fun.


Oscar Aberdeen is a bit of an oddball. He's an ace at playing bridge, loves Frank Sinatra, and attends a whole lot of funerals. He's also the youngest resident of Sunny Days retirement home by more than a half-century--and he wouldn't have it any other way. So when his grandpa's suddenly served an eviction notice that threatens their place at Sunny Days, he needs to find some cash. Fast.

Enter Jimmy Deluca, a shady elderly man with a reputation for being bad news, who makes Oscar an offer he can't refuse. He's got the drop on riches hidden away on the "outside" and he'll share the loot with Oscar on one condition: he busts him out of Sunny Days.

In this humdinger of an adventure, the ultimate odd couple, along with an uninvited stowaway, go from high-stakes escape to rollicking escapade as they search for the secret stash--and forge an unlikely friendship along the way. Will Oscar succeed in saving the only home he's ever known? Or will he have to fuggedaboutit and return a failure?

Shipping & returnsShipping options, delivery timing, and our return policy.

In-stock items normally dispatch within 1–2 business days. The ZIP-code estimator on this page is informational only; the final shipping method, price, and availability are confirmed at checkout for your full order.

For the initial delivery estimate we use these transit windows after dispatch: Standard 5–8 business days, Expedited 2–4 business days, and Priority 1–2 business days. Holiday delays are not included.

Eligible items can be returned within 30 days in accordance with our return policy.

Customer reviews

M
AlbakiReads
Malaika Taylor

I highly recommend to for anyone looking for inner clarity

T
AlbakiReads
Thomas DiMassa

Great service and fast service

Great shopping experience! The book arrived quickly, was well packaged, and matched the description perfectly. I would definitely shop with you again

O
AlbakiReads
Olivia

Smooth.